Mississippi to receive $6.3M in nationwide opioid settlement

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — Mississippi could receive more than $6.3 million as part of a $720 million nationwide settlement with eight drug manufacturers involved in the opioid crisis, Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced Thursday.

“The opioid epidemic has claimed far too many lives in Mississippi, leaving behind lasting pain,” Fitch said. “But together, we can confront the damage already done and work to prevent more senseless deaths. This settlement marks an important step forward, holding those involved in the opioid crisis accountable and helping us begin the healing process for our families and communities.”

Mississippi’s share of the settlement totals up to $6,351,265. The agreement includes payments over varying timeframes from the following drugmakers:

• Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284.4 million over nine years
• Hikma: $95.8 million over one to four years
• Amneal: $71.8 million over 10 years
• Apotex: $63.7 million paid in one year
• Indivior: $38 million over four years
• Sun: $31 million over one to four years
• Alvogen: $18.7 million paid in one year
• Zydus: $14.9 million paid in one year

As part of the settlement terms, seven of the companies (excluding Indivior) have agreed to strict restrictions: they are prohibited from marketing or promoting opioids, producing any opioid pill containing more than 40 mg of oxycodone, and must implement systems to monitor and report suspicious orders. Indivior, meanwhile, has agreed to cease manufacturing or selling opioid products for 10 years but can continue to market treatments for opioid use disorder.

Mississippi was the first state in the country to file suit against opioid manufacturers. Since then, the Attorney General’s Office has secured settlements with more than a dozen manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and pharmacies involved in the opioid supply chain.

Settlement funds are deposited into the Opioid Settlement Fund, created by the Mississippi Legislature in 2024. Fitch chairs the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council, which oversees how funds are allocated and ensures spending aligns with abatement guidelines and transparency requirements.